File Photo: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with AAP leaders (PTI Photo)
A court in Delhi has said that there is "sufficient material" to proceed with the criminal defamation complaint filed by a Delhi Police constable against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for using a slang "thulla" to describe policemen.
The court has fixed the matter for October 5 for recording pre-summoning evidence in the complaint filed by constable Ajay Kumar Taneja, posted at Lajpat Nagar Police Station in Delhi, after hearing arguments of the complainant's counsel.
"Considering the content of the complaint and the material placed on record, I am of the opinion that there is sufficient material to proceed with the complaint and the opportunity be given to the complaint to lead pre-summoning evidence. Now be put up for pre-summoning evidence on October 5," Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Kumar said.
This is the second criminal defamation complaint filed against Mr Kejriwal for his 'thulla' remark. The other complaint was also filed by a Delhi Police constable and the court had fixed the matter for recording of pre-summoning evidence.
The present complaint was filed by Mr Taneja on July 23, a day after constable Harvinder, posted at Govindpuri Police Station had lodged a similar complaint against Mr Kejriwal.
Mr Taneja had claimed that he was mentally disturbed and felt very insulted and defamed by Arvind Kejriwal's remark.
"If a word like 'thulla' is used by an eminent personality like the chief minister to refer to personnel of Delhi Police, then the general public would too have no respect or regard for police personnel who dedicate their entire lives to maintain law and order in Delhi," Mr Taneja had said in his complaint.
He had also claimed to have lodged a complaint at Lajpat Nagar Police Station under section 500 (defamation) of IPC and said that Mr Kejriwal is liable to be prosecuted for willfully committing offences punishable under sections 500 and 504 (insult intended to provoke breach of peace) of the IPC.
In his recent interview, Mr Kejriwal had talked about the AAP government's "constraints" in ensuring effective functioning of the Anti-Corruption Branch.
Police Commissioner BS Bassi had hinted his displeasure over the use of word 'thulla' by Mr Kejriwal.